NRA Members Push Concealed Weapons For Arlington Teachers
ARLINGTON (AP/CBSDFW) - Two National Rifle Association members say they want the Arlington school district to allow teachers and administrators to carry concealed weapons.
David McElwee and Bill Sandlin tried to push a similar proposal nearly two years ago and were unsuccessful. After the school massacre in Connecticut that left 20 children dead, McElwee says they will try again. "We've got to allow those people who are certified with license to be able to protect their students and themselves."
But school board president Peter Baron says he doesn't support the idea.
Baron says McElwee is "welcome to come and say his piece, as is any citizen," but doesn't expect the board to be swayed. He says the board is reviewing security in the wake of the shooting.
McElwee and Sandlin say they're just two people among many others who agree. Allowing teachers and staff with permits to carry a concealed gun would better protect students. "You're never going to get 100 percent security, you can't get it. But you can significantly reduce it," says McElwee.
"In the meantime, we are reviewing the security systems and procedures currently in place to see if any short-term adjustments should be made. Allowing employees to carry concealed handguns is not an option the district is considering, " district spokeswoman Leslie Johnston told CBS 11.
Johnston says Arlington police keep officers at junior and senior high schools.
McElwee and Sandlin say they still plan to present their ideas to the AISD board at one of its meetings early next year. And if things don't go forward, they've already met with a lawyer to discuss taking legal action.
(©2012 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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